EFFECT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME ON THE AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING IN NAKURU EAST AND NAKURU WEST SUB-COUNTIES, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

This study investigated the impact of household income on housing affordability for low-income households in Nakuru East and West Sub-Counties, Kenya. Using a mixed-methods approach with questionnaires for 384 systematically sampled households and interviews with purposively selected housing sector managers, the study found that low-income households had unstable and insufficient incomes, limiting their ability to afford housing. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive and significant relationship between household income and housing affordability (r=0.440, p<0.05). The study concluded that lower household incomes contribute to housing affordability challenges, especially with rising house prices. It recommended policies to increase incomes, provide targeted housing subsidies and financing, develop affordable housing stock, and combine housing assistance with financial literacy education.JEL: R21, R31, I31, D31, O18  Article visualizations

Constraints to the Success of Women Small Scale Entrepreneurs in Kenya. A Case of Microfinance Institution Borrowers in Rongai District of Nakuru County, Kenya

The study aimed at determining the constraints to the success of women small scale entrepreneurs in Kenya with specific reference to micro finance Institution borrowers in Rongai District, Nakuru County, Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to determine five markets. The survey achieved the targeted sample size of 90 interviewees. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling was used to select the sample. A regression model was used and the findings revealed that the success level of women small scale entrepreneurs was sensitive to all the factors investigated. However, some determinants were more influential than others. The most significant variable was the level of education followed by well as business training. Keywords: Women Small Scale Entrepreneurs, Microfinance Institutions, constraints to the success leve

The Role of Knowledge Management towards the Achievement of Vision 2030: a Survey of Secondary School Drop Outs in Rongai District of Nakuru County, Kenya

Knowledge management  is the name of a concept in which an enterprise consciously and comprehensively gathers, organizes, shares, and analyzes its knowledge in terms of resources, documents, and  people skills. Knowledge management involves data mining and some method of operation to push information to users. A knowledge management plan involves a survey of corporate goals and a close examination of the tools, both traditional and technical that is required for addressing the needs of the company. The challenge of selecting a knowledge management system is to purchase or build software that fits the context of the overall plan and encourages employees to use the system and share information. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of knowledge management of secondary school dropouts in achieving vision 2030.The data obtained was presented using tables and graphs. Descriptive statistics were used, including percentages, ratios and frequencies. Data was presented using tables and graphs. University admission did not appear to be directly influenced by factors affecting completion and drop out. The trend of university admission therefore needs to be investigated further during future research. It can also be concluded from research undertaken that majority of new admissions is as a result of students dropping from other schools (represented by 21%), followed by low fees requirement of day secondary schools and proximity to schools. The study recommends that there is need for stakeholders in the educational sector to develop strong guidelines for collecting and coding data to ensure the data are accurate as possible and an incentive be created for schools to find out what happens to their students. Key Words: knowledge management, dropouts, vision 2030, Rongai, Nakuru County, Keny

Financial Management Skills and Affordability of Housing in Nakuru County

This study sought to determine the relationship between financial management skills and house affordability. The study adopted positivist, cross sectional design to collect, analyze and make conclusions on the relationship between the two variables. Heads of households were identified as the respondents in this study, where us each household was considered as unit of analysis. Research data was collected through structured questionnaires and interview guides. Data was collected from 384 households in London, Kaptembwa, Kapkures, Rhonda, Shaabab, Biashara, Kivumbini, Flamingo, Menengai and Nakuru East wards within Nakuru East and Nakuru west sub-counties. Results from the study revealed that financial management skills are a significant determinant of house affordability. In fact, it was evident that financial planning, budgeting, expenditure and financial control among other skills are very critical in the journey towards house ownership. The study recommends that individuals should enhance financial management skills through trainings and seminars. Financial institutions, as well as the government can support the households by organizing training opportunities, especially for low income households. The study recommends that further study should focus on financial management areas that are key to low income households and how such skills can be used towards house ownership Keywords: Financial Management Skills, Housing Affordability, Nakuru County DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-20-05 Publication date:October 31st 202

Building laboratory capacity to detect and characterize pathogens of public and global health security concern in Kenya

Since 1979, multiple CDC Kenya programs have supported the development of diagnostic expertise and laboratory capacity in Kenya. In 2004, CDC's Global Disease Detection (GDD) program within the Division of Global Health Protection in Kenya (DGHP-Kenya) initiated close collaboration with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and developed a laboratory partnership called the Diagnostic and Laboratory Systems Program (DLSP). DLSP built onto previous efforts by malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) programs and supported the expansion of the diagnostic expertise and capacity in KEMRI and the Ministry of Health. First, DLSP developed laboratory capacity for surveillance of diarrheal, respiratory, zoonotic and febrile illnesses to understand the etiology burden of these common illnesses and support evidenced-based decisions on vaccine introductions and recommendations in Kenya. Second, we have evaluated and implemented new diagnostic technologies such as TaqMan Array Cards (TAC) to detect emerging or reemerging pathogens and have recently added a next generation sequencer (NGS). Third, DLSP provided rapid laboratory diagnostic support for outbreak investigation to Kenya and regional countries. Fourth, DLSP has been assisting the Kenya National Public Health laboratory-National Influenza Center and microbiology reference laboratory to obtain World Health Organization (WHO) certification and ISO15189 accreditation respectively. Fifth, we have supported biosafety and biosecurity curriculum development to help Kenyan laboratories safely and appropriately manage infectious pathogens. These achievements, highlight how in collaboration with existing CDC programs working on HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, the Global Health Security Agenda can have significantly improve public health in Kenya and the region. Moreover, Kenya provides an example as to how laboratory science can help countries detect and control of infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats more rapidly, thus enhancing global health security